Jean Tinguely - part 3 - Méta-Matics

click on arrow to start video

Meta-matic drawings vary enormously, entirely according to how the machine is set up and used. No two drawings are ever completely identical. How close the felt-pen, or whatever is being used, is fixed to the paper, is an important factor, but the fluidity or otherwise of of the colouring agent, or the texture of the paper, will also play a part. The operator can use pencil, ballpoint, airmail stamps, invisible ink . . . The decisive thing is how long the machine is allowed to run without interference, and how long with each separate colour. But however it is set up, it is impossible for the machine to produce an ugly drawing.
Hultén 1975, p. 82.

L'appareil à faire des sculptures - The engine to make sculptures

All posts on Jean Tinguely: use the 'search this blog' on the top right of the page.

Museum Tinguely in Basel Switserland